I love the name, I have read your questions over a week and you should know asking questions here is certainly going to get you opinions (whether they are valid or not) So if you are going to be successful, it is up to you. You need to learn about everything for a business you are asking questions about by reading small business, business law, sales, negotiating, hiring and customer service books that are all available in the library. Nothing is recession proof! A luxury for most homeowners is affording a person to come in and clean. When times are tough even the messiest clients will start cleaning their own place, (not as good and not as often) but extras just quit getting bought. Prices get cut on shampoo s and the quality of napkins or even cosmetics. I have had two janitorial businesses and worked while starting college as a foreman for a huge concern where I learned the entire business inside out. Reading sales books all the time you will learn the importance of asking for referrals and when doing home owners selling them on changing their offices to have you do them as well is easy as pie. Most companies want the most for the least but if you target the upper management in companies to target their homes once your relationship begins and your services are rendered as excellent you can move to working also at offices where even a few more dollars a month you will make up for in personality, going the extra mile and in follow-up service without a frown. I suggest that you have a checklist for every account and as one item on it gets done you check it off so nothing at each account is ever forgot. A route book with full Information about each stop, each day (and night ) of the week. Things like contact notes, pets names, family names, times home and or at work and school. Phone, fax and email contact numbers for everyone. Allergies, major pet peeves they have, birthday s and anniversaries. Everything that can separate you from all the other me too companies that never ever come around to getting a clue. Be the best by being the best. People surround themselves with the best. So make it easy by preparing to be the best in every way.
I kick myself that I didn t come up with Crystal Clean it was right there and I forgot (when I never do) to read your name.... Report Abuse
First, find out the number of other cleaners in your area. If the market is over-saturated already, you re not going to help.Do you have clients lined up already? Having someone ready to buy will help. Word-of-mouth advertising is the best you can get. You might want to offer some sort of Start-Up Special for people to sign into contracts with your service for a lower price. This will give you guaranteed income when you start.Set-up you billing practice and keep to it. Offer discounted bundles as well as 1 time services. Set down that your prices will be reviewed every quarter or 6 months. That will encourage some to lock-in lower priced bundles or contracts now.Be consistent: There are few things that can come back and bite you like cutting 1 person a deal and others find out about it.Mostly, just think real hard about rules to help you and your customers avoid confusion
Its more about what kind of perosn uses your product.cheaper store like second hand shops and buy in bulk supermarkets thrive in the recession. If your company is something people need (ie not a luxury) and you do it cheaper than the competition the recession could even help you
It is hard to tell with the limited information. My gut is telling me that this area would be on that would be hit hardest by a bad economy. One of the first things you can go without is paying a person for something you can do (with no training) for free.
I suggest you do not limit yourself to residential cleaning . There is a need for commercial cleaning , such as offices or stores . This is usually done at night or on wekends so your days are free to do your residential cleaning .
I don t know tough to say I mean who is going to pay someone to clean what they can clean for free?You won t know till you open.If it fails, try a Lemonade stand, it s seasonal work, but nevertheless work!
